Used good 997664 217449525 2008-06-06T01:59:10Z Phileas 206084 /* See also */ {{redirect|Second hand}} [[Image:Yard Sale Northern CA 2005.JPG|right|300px|thumb|A busy yard sale, a common place to find cheap used goods.]] A '''second-hand''' or '''used [[Good (economics and accounting)|good]]''' is one that is being purchased by or otherwise transferred to a second or later [[end user]]. A ''used'' good can also simply mean it is no longer in the same condition as it was when it was first transferd to the current end user. With respect to a quantifiable [[Factors of production|resources]], such as the charge in a battery, it also refers to something which has been partially or completely depleted. ==Donation of used goods== Many items that are considered obsolete and worthless in [[developed countries]], are useful and valuable in [[developing countries]]. United States taxpayers can deduct donations of used goods to charitable organizations. Both Goodwill Industries and the Salvation Army web sites have lists of items with their estimated range of values. ==Sale of used goods== [[Image:Ebayscreen.png|right|thumb|[[Online auction]] sites have become a popular way to sell used goods in recent years.]] Used items can often be found for sale in [[thrift store]]s and [[pawnshop]]s, [[auction]]s, [[garage sale]]s, and in more recent times [[online auction]]s. Some stores sell both new and used goods (e.g. [[car dealership]]s), while others only sell new goods but may take used items in exchange for credit toward the purchase of newer goods. When an item is no longer of use to a person they may sell or ''pawn'' it, especially when they are in need of [[money]]. Items can also be sold (or taken away free of cost) as [[scrap]] (e.g. scrap metal). Owners may sell the good themselves or to a dealer who then sells it on for a profit. However, because the process takes some effort on part of the owner they may simply keep possession of it or dump it at a [[landfill]] instead of going to the trouble of selling it. ==Purchase of used goods== [[Image:Landfill compactor.jpg|left|thumb|As dumped used goods take up space in landfills some may purchase them for [[environmentalism|environmental motivations]].]] The strategy of buying used items is employed by some to save [[money]], as they are typically worth less than the equivalent new items. Purchasing used items for [[reuse]] prevents them from becoming [[waste]] and saves costly production of equivalent new goods. Motivations for purchase include conserving [[natural resource]]s and protecting the [[natural environment|environment]], and may form part of a [[simple living]] plan. Despite this, many people prefer to buy most or all of their goods new. They may feel safer buying new because a [[warranty]] is provided or because they are concerned they may be buying [[Receipt of stolen property|stolen goods]]. Goods purchased secondhand may also be exempt from certain legal requirements (e.g. [[consumer protection]] laws). Other consumers may be willing to buy used, but simply do not know where to buy them or lack the expertise needed to make a good purchase (e.g. a [[used car]]). [[Haggling]] may be involved in purchase of used goods, especially in less formal situations like a yard sale. Some consumers are uncomfortable or inexperienced in this situation too, and may choose to buy new goods instead. However some simply prefer their goods brand new and/or feel secondhand items are inferior or shabby (the 'yuck factor'). ==Depreciation== [[Image:Opal Armband 800pix.jpg|right|thumb|[[Jewellery]] often appreciates in value over time.]] {{Main|Depreciation}} [[Depreciation]] is a term used in business to measure the decrease in monetary value over a good's economic lifetime. Most goods depreciate in value over time, some very quickly and others more moderately. Certain goods may however remain at a fairly steady value or even appreciate in value (e.g. jewellery and [[antique]]s). In this case used goods may be a form of [[investment]]. ==Hand-me-downs== When a person gives an item of some value that they have used to someone else, typically an acquaintance or family member, it is sometimes referred to as a "'''hand-me-down'''". ==Types of used goods== ===Used cars and vehicle batteries === [[Image:Toyota Corolla AE82 Sweden.JPG|right|thumb|Used cars like this [[Toyota Corolla]] cost much less than newer vehicles, but can sometimes be [[Lemon (automobile)|more trouble than they're worth]].]] {{Main|Used car}} Used [[automobile|car]]s are especially notable for depreciating in value much faster than many other items. Used cars may have been bought or [[lease]]d by their previous user, and may be purchased directly from the previous owner or through a dealer. [[George Akerlof]] published a paper entitled "[[The Market for Lemons]]", examining the effects of [[information asymmetry]] on the used car market. Used cars may require more maintenance or have fewer features than later equivalent models. For used [[plug-in hybrid|plug-in]] or [[all-electric vehicle]] batteries, see [[V2G]]. ===Used clothes=== Used clothing is often donated to charities which sort and distribute for free or a reduced price. Rather than distributing the clothing directly, some organizations will sell collected clothing in bulk to a used clothing redistributor, and then use the raised funds to finance either their charitable or for-profit activities, as they see fit<ref name='tsun2007'>[http://www.torontosun.com/News/TorontoAndGTA/2007/01/11/3299397-sun.html Old duds, big bucks; Clothes you think you're donating to charity are frequently sold for profit] [[Toronto Sun]], 2007-Jan-11, retrieved 2007-Apr-16.</ref>. Used clothing unsuitable for sale in an affluent market may still find a buyer or end-user in another market, such as a student market or a less affluent region of a developing country. ==References== <references/> ==See also== *[[Car dealer auction]] *[[Freeganism]] *[[Regifting]] and [[Regiving]] *[[Secondary market]] *[[The Market for Lemons]] for a description of a phenomenon that may make it difficult to maintain quality in markets for certain used goods, such as computers and cars *[[Atomic Ed and the Black Hole]], a [[documentary film]] about a unique second-hand shop ==External links== {{wiktionarypar|goods|second hand|used}} *[http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1131:new-day-dawning-for-second-hand-items&catid=20:lifestyle-and-entertainment&Itemid=164/ article in Helsinki Times] [[Category:Distribution, retailing, and wholesaling]] [[Category:Waste]] [[es:Segunda mano]] [[nl:Tweedehands]] [[ja:古物]] [[ru:Секонд-хенд]] [[sv:Second hand]] [[uk:Секонд-хенд]] [[zh:二手貨]]